The Scottish Government has committed £45 million under the third round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3) to support the deployment of more than 330 zero-emission buses and coaches, alongside associated charging infrastructure.
The funding will enable the rollout of 334 vehicles, including 227 electric buses and 107 electric coaches, as part of efforts to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport across Scotland.
The programme combines public and private investment, with each £1 of government funding expected to leverage more than £2.50 in private capital. Several major operators are participating, including First Bus, Stagecoach Group, Lothian Buses, Ember and Rock Road.
Under the allocations, Rock Road will procure 93 vehicles, including models from Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus. First Bus will repower 15 double-deck buses and acquire 22 new vehicles from Yutong. Ember will deploy 100 zero-emission coaches from Yutong, while Stagecoach will introduce 44 buses and coaches. Lothian Buses will procure 60 double-deck buses supplied by Volvo, Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus.
The Scottish Government confirmed that the funding package also includes investment in charging infrastructure required to support the operation of these fleets.
“This final investment of £45 million from the Scottish Government through ScotZEB3 signals our commitment to a zero-emission future for Scotland’s bus sector,” said Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport. “Since 2020, we have invested over £154 million in zero-emission buses and infrastructure.”
“The programme is not only reducing emissions – it’s supporting jobs and our economy, connecting communities across Scotland and improving the experience for passengers across the country,” she added.
The latest funding round builds on previous initiatives, including ScotZEB and the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS), which together have supported around 800 zero-emission buses with £154 million in funding since 2020.
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Scotland recorded the highest growth in zero-emission bus adoption among UK nations in 2025, rising 162.3% to 1,188 units.
The ScotZEB programme, launched in 2021, supports consortium-based applications involving operators, manufacturers, financiers and local authorities. It aims to make zero-emission vehicles the standard across bus and coach services, including public transport, school transport and tourism.
Looking ahead, the government said it is evaluating regulatory measures under the UK Bus Services Act 2025 that could, from 2030 at the earliest, prohibit the use of new non-zero-emission buses on registered local services.
